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Freshman Ronnie Stewart's rendition of a Demi Lovato song took home the top prize from the Oct. 27 Open Mic Nite at Niagara University.

The last Tuesday of October was one of the days that the most talented students at Niagara University look forward to the most: Open Mic Nite. With a grand prize of $500, the stakes were high and the standards were raised for each performer.

Sponsored by the NU Traditions committee, the competition was host to a variety of talent including (but definitely not limited to) rapping, dancing and even a drumming harmonica player. While these acts were impressive, there could only be one winner – and he stole the show.

Ronnie Stewart is a freshman pursuing a major in theatre performance. He’s been singing for as long as he can remember, and first got involved performing in musicals when he was only in sixth grade. His experience on stage, along with his remarkable voice, helped him get noticed by the judges to the point where they gave him the grand prize as he performed a cover of Demi Lovato’s song, Confident.

“I knew it fit my voice and showed off what I can do,” said Stewart.

While he certainly chose a song that showcased his voice perfectly, Stewart finds the meaning of the song a much bigger reason than giving him an advantage to show off his singing.

“I’m obviously not the most attractive person in the world,” he said. “However, I think that a positive attitude and confidence is important for everyone, no matter what you look like or how you see yourself in the mirror.” Stewart went on to say that he thinks having confidence will take you much further than you normally could go without it.

The date for Niagara’s next Open Mic Nite competition is still yet to be determined but will likely fall in March or April of 2016.